Emsworth Walks.
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Farlington Marshes
The walk starts from the car park for
Farlington Marshes. To get there from
Emsworth, head west out of the village
along Havant Road and join the A27
towards Portsmouth. This turns into the
M27, and you need to leave on the second
exit heading west, signposted for the
A2030 into Portsmouth.
As you come down to the roundabout at
the end of the sliproad, stay in the left
hand lane and immediately after the traffic
lights, actually on the roundabout, turn
left into the car park. There are three
parking areas so if the first is full just
carry on. The second is the largest, and
the directions are from this car park.
From the car park, climb down the bank to
the concrete footpath alongside the
foreshore and head east.
You are walking along the sea wall, and
virtually all of Farlington Marshes lies
below sea level. It was reclaimed from the
sea in 1771.
The purpose of reclaiming land is not
entirely clear, but in the 19th century, fresh
water springs on the marshes were used
to supply the city of Portsmouth.
Before that, the marshes were a favoured
area to hunt wildfowl, and given the date,
it is possible that the aim was to create
saltings, for the production of salt.
Since 1961, the marshes have been a
nature reserve managed by the Hampshire
and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.
The footpath swings up to the left, follow
it then turn right through the kissing gate
into Nature Reserve and head south.
Follow the path straight, rather than going
up to the foreshore as it takes you through
the marsh itself until you reach a second
kissing gate and come up to the path
along the top of the sea wall.
It is sometimes hard to know which way to
look to spot the wildlife, and particularly
the birds. As you walk round the sea wall
you will find observation points, looking
inward to the wetlands in the marshes.
Keep to the path as it follows the sea wall
right round the peninsular to its eastern
side where you will find yourself walking
north.
As you turn at the most south-easterly
point, you will see a strange mound out on
the mudflats.
This is the site
of the oyster
house. This
was a guard
house for the
oyster beds.
The oyster industry was very important in
both the northern part of Chichester
Harbour, but also right down the western
coast of Hayling Island.
From this vantage point, all the oyster
beds along the north western corner of
Hayling Island can be observed.
Just as you see the RSPB reserve appearing
on the mudflats, you will see a clear path
heading west inland. Turn left onto the
path. After about 250 metres, turn left
onto another path, which leads past the
visitor centre and its wind generator.
Follow the path until it reaches the cycle
path running along next to the M27, and
turn left along the path.
At the end of the path, continue along the
road, which takes you back you the car
parks and where you started.